Can I use my version of windows 8 OEM in my new PC build.

[LindonBoy]

Hello.
I am going to build a new PC very soon, and I was just wondering if I could build a PC and use my old hard drive that has windows 8 OEM installed to it?

Or will I just have to buy another windows license?

I am keeping the hard drive, RAM and CPU from my old build which previously used this hard drive with this version and license of windows 8.

I am really confused as i could not find a closed answer to this, and I have seen a variety of answers, so if someone could verify to me if I could or couldn't and what I would have to do so if it is possible, would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks, Ben.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes you can. But for new hardware, you should really reinstall.

The licensing for Win8 changed from Win7.

 

[PandaBear270]

First of all your Windows will be unable to load in a different motherboard, no matter the license. You will get a blue screen every time OS loads.
And about license, no. The OEM key is rigged to your current hardware only.

 

[USAFRet]

First of all your Windows will be unable to load in a different motherboard, no matter the license. You will get a blue screen every time OS loads.
And about license, no. The OEM key is rigged to your current hardware only.

That is not true for Windows 8.

 

[PandaBear270]

Oh, did it changed?

 

[LindonBoy]

Yes you can. But for new hardware, you should really reinstall.

The licensing for Win8 changed from Win7.

Thanks for the speedy reply.
Why should I really reinstall, and what would I need to do in order to re-use my version of windows 8?

 

[USAFRet]

Oh, did it changed?

Yes. For Windows 7 and earlier, OEM was tied to that first motherboard.
Windows 8, it is mainly a question of support. OEM = ask who you bought the PC from.

Read more here:
http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/personal-use-license.aspx#fbid=tuvT-qPXJq0

 

[USAFRet]

Yes you can. But for new hardware, you should really reinstall.

The licensing for Win8 changed from Win7.

Thanks for the speedy reply.
Why should I really reinstall, and what would I need to do in order to re-use my version of windows 8?

If the system (motherboard/CPU) is significantly different, you may be chasing driver issues for quite a while.
If it starts at all.

 

[LindonBoy]

Yes you can. But for new hardware, you should really reinstall.

The licensing for Win8 changed from Win7.

Thanks for the speedy reply.
Why should I really reinstall, and what would I need to do in order to re-use my version of windows 8?

If the system (motherboard/CPU) is significantly different, you may be chasing driver issues for quite a while.
If it starts at all.

Okay, thanks a lot for your help!
I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a new version of windows. Oh well

 

[USAFRet]

Yes you can. But for new hardware, you should really reinstall.

The licensing for Win8 changed from Win7.

Thanks for the speedy reply.
Why should I really reinstall, and what would I need to do in order to re-use my version of windows 8?

If the system (motherboard/CPU) is significantly different, you may be chasing driver issues for quite a while.
If it starts at all.

Okay, thanks a lot for your help!
I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a new version of windows. Oh well

Why a new version?

 

[LindonBoy]

Yes you can. But for new hardware, you should really reinstall.

The licensing for Win8 changed from Win7.

Thanks for the speedy reply.
Why should I really reinstall, and what would I need to do in order to re-use my version of windows 8?

If the system (motherboard/CPU) is significantly different, you may be chasing driver issues for quite a while.
If it starts at all.

Okay, thanks a lot for your help!
I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a new version of windows. Oh well

Why a new version?

I'm sorry, I'm a complete noob when it comes to operating systems... Are you saying that I should buy a new license of windows? Or will I simply just have to uninstall it from the hard drive and then reinstall it in my new PC? I'm so sorry for being such a noob lol

 

[USAFRet]

Yes you can. But for new hardware, you should really reinstall.

The licensing for Win8 changed from Win7.

Thanks for the speedy reply.
Why should I really reinstall, and what would I need to do in order to re-use my version of windows 8?

If the system (motherboard/CPU) is significantly different, you may be chasing driver issues for quite a while.
If it starts at all.

Okay, thanks a lot for your help!
I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a new version of windows. Oh well

Why a new version?

I'm sorry, I'm a complete noob when it comes to operating systems... Are you saying that I should buy a new license of windows? Or will I simply just have to uninstall it from the hard drive and then reinstall it in my new PC? I'm so sorry for being such a noob lol

Build your new PC.
Install the new drive (and only the new drive)
Install, using your existing install DVD, and activate using your current code
Verify everything works.
Wipe the old drive.
Done.

If you're using the same drive:
Save all your current personal files elsewhere
Build it
Set the boot priority to DVD only
Crank it up and boot from your current DVD
Blow away all the partitions on that drive, and install
Activate
Done.

 

[USAFRet]

You can reinstall your existing copy multiple times, but only one at a time.

 

[LindonBoy]

Yes you can. But for new hardware, you should really reinstall.

The licensing for Win8 changed from Win7.

Thanks for the speedy reply.
Why should I really reinstall, and what would I need to do in order to re-use my version of windows 8?

If the system (motherboard/CPU) is significantly different, you may be chasing driver issues for quite a while.
If it starts at all.

Okay, thanks a lot for your help!
I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a new version of windows. Oh well

Why a new version?

I'm sorry, I'm a complete noob when it comes to operating systems... Are you saying that I should buy a new license of windows? Or will I simply just have to uninstall it from the hard drive and then reinstall it in my new PC? I'm so sorry for being such a noob lol

Build your new PC.
Install the new drive (and only the new drive)
Install, using your existing install DVD, and activate using your current code
Verify everything works.
Wipe the old drive.
Done.

If you're using the same drive:
Save all your current personal files elsewhere
Build it
Set the boot priority to DVD only
Crank it up and boot from your current DVD
Blow away all the partitions on that drive, and install
Activate
Done.

Thanks a lot, a great help 😀